In 2024, the Australian Government updated the terms of service for the legalization of documents for use abroad, including through apostille certification. These updates reflect a shift in how the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) handles document legalization requests, aiming to make the process more efficient while still ensuring the authenticity of documents.
Key changes to legalisation services
Australia provides apostille and authentication services to verify the legitimacy of documents for use overseas. This is particularly important for individuals and businesses that need to present Australian documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, police checks, educational diplomas, and more, in other countries.
The apostille process involves affixing a certificate to the document, which serves as an international verification that the document is genuine. The apostille is recognized in countries that are part of the Hague Convention, while authentication services are used for countries that are not part of the convention.
The 2024 updates to Australia's document legalization services, which are available through DFAT, streamline the application process, clarify submission requirements, and adjust how services are offered at various locations across the country.
Submission Methods
Historically, DFAT’s passport offices accepted documents for legalization by mail, a service that was available nationwide.
However, starting in 2024, most passport offices across Australia stopped accepting documents by mail. Now, this service is limited to the passport offices in Sydney and Melbourne, where applicants can still send in their documents via post.
In both cities, applicants are required to send their original documents, an application, and a registered envelope with a return address for the return of the documents. Once received, passport office employees check the authenticity of signatures and seals, verifying them against their database. If there are any concerns, they may contact the issuing authority for confirmation.
The Australian Government emphasizes that processing times for apostille and authentication services can vary depending on the time of year. They do not provide an exact processing timeframe, as it is influenced by the workload at that specific time.
Applicants who choose to submit their documents by mail can either pick up their legalized documents in person at the passport office or opt to have them sent back by mail, depending on their preference.
For passport offices located outside Sydney and Melbourne, document submission for legalization must now be done in person. This means that if you live in cities such as Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, or Darwin, you will need to schedule an appointment and attend the office in person to submit your documents for apostille or authentication services.
Types of documents eligible for Apostille
- Official documents issued by the government
- Original educational documents issued by accredited Australian universities
- Notarized copies of private documents
The 2024 updates to Australia's apostille and legalization services reflect a modernization of the process, making it more streamlined for applicants, particularly those submitting documents for international purposes. By limiting mail-in submissions to Sydney and Melbourne and requiring in-person submissions elsewhere, the Australian Government is ensuring that the process is handled more securely and efficiently. Applicants must now also ensure that their documents are eligible for apostille or authentication, which only applies to official government documents and notarized copies.
How can we help?
If you are outside of Australia, we are happy to assist you with apostille and legalization procedures of your documents for use abroad.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt, we have great experience in legalizing of different kind of documents and provide all the services you need, including notarized copies, translations, preparation of necessary powers of attorney, legalization of documents at government authorities and consulates of foreign countries, and also delivery of documents almost all other the world.
You can read more about the procedure of legalization and apostilization on our website.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
